Protective collar guard

ABSTRACT

An article is provided that is attachable to the interior surface of a garment collar to protect against perspiration, sweat, makeup, and the like, from the wearer&#39;s neck. The article has an absorbent material layer and an adhesive for removably attaching the article to the collar interior surface and reattaching for a subsequent use. A protective covering is attached to the adhesive to cover and preserve the adhesive when the article is not attached to the collar. The article can have an impermeable layer supporting the absorbent layer, and can have tapered ends to correspond with the taper of typical collars in the button area. The article can be sized to cover substantially all the collar interior surface or the upper portion only.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparel and more specifically to a protective collar guard for keeping perspiration, dirt, oil, makeup, hair care products, and the like from rubbing off a person's neck on to the garment collar.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] While there are other protective clothing devices that may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. What is needed is a collar guard with a specially adapted absorbent layer that can be positioned between the neck and the interior surface of a garment collar, with the absorbent layer being removable and repositionable for laundering and future wear.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard with absorbent material capable of providing a barrier against soiling elements such as dirt, perspiration, makeup, hair care products and skin oils between a wearer's neck and a garment collar.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard that provides a comfortable skin engaging surface.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard that can conceal preexisting stains on a garment collar, such as shirts, blouses, coats or jackets.

[0008] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard with an adhesive to attach and detach from a collar easily.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard that is cheap and easily disposable.

[0010] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a collar guard that can be concealed from view.

[0011] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.

[0012] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a collar guard composed of an easily disposable strip of absorbent material that is concealably placed on the inner portion of a collar on garments such as shirts, blouses, sweaters, coats, jackets, and the like, by adhesive means, that prevents staining of any collar. Additionally, the collar guard draws away a wearer's perspiration providing a more comfortable and dry collar surface.

[0013] In one embodiment there is provided, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0014] In another embodiment, the adhesive is water soluble.

[0015] In another embodiment, the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.

[0016] In another embodiment, the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.

[0017] In another embodiment, the absorbent material absorbs dirt.

[0018] In another embodiment, the absorbent material absorbs skin oil.

[0019] In another embodiment, the absorbent material absorbs makeup.

[0020] In another embodiment, the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the absorbent material layer has a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.

[0021] In one embodiment, there is provided an for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: an absorbent first layer adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the first layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0022] In another embodiment, the first layer is attached to the second layer using a second adhesive.

[0023] In another embodiment, the first layer is attached to the second layer by stitching.

[0024] In another embodiment, the first layer has a perimeter, the first layer being attached to the second layer along the first layer perimeter.

[0025] In another embodiment, the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.

[0026] In another embodiment, the adhesive is water soluble.

[0027] In another embodiment, the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.

[0028] In another embodiment, the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.

[0029] In one embodiment, there is provided an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and positioning means for removably positioning the absorbent material on the collar interior surface such that the layer is adjacent the person's neck and is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0030] In one embodiment, there is provided an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the interior surface having an upper portion, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface upper portion area; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0031] In another embodiment, the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.

[0032] In another embodiment, the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.

[0033] In another embodiment, the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.

[0034] In one embodiment, there is provided an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the interior surface having an upper portion, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface upper portion area; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the second layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0035] In another embodiment, the first layer is attached to the second layer using a second adhesive.

[0036] In another embodiment, the first layer is attached to the second layer by stitching.

[0037] In another embodiment, the first layer has a perimeter, the first layer being attached to the second layer along the first layer perimeter.

[0038] In another embodiment, the second layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.

[0039] In another embodiment, the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the second layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.

[0040] In another embodiment, the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.

[0041] In one embodiment, there is provided an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the garment collar having a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected, the layer further having a first and second end, each end having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends; an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn, and repositionable adjacent the collar interior surface after removal; and a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.

[0042] In one embodiment, there is provided, in combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0043] In one embodiment, there is provided, in combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: an absorbent first layer adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the first layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0044] In one embodiment, there is provided, in combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and positioning means for removably positioning the absorbent material on the collar interior surface such that the layer is adjacent the person's neck and is removable after the garment has been worn.

[0045] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

[0046] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0047] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0048]FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is the present invention installed on the collar of a shirt concealed from view to provide a more comfortable collar surface and preventing any perspiration, makeup, hair care products, dirt or skin oils from staining the collar.

[0049]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. Shown is a shirt with the present invention installed between the collar and wearer's neck skin. The present invention is placed on the inside circumference of the collar to absorb any moisture that may accumulate on the wearer's neck due to perspiration, so that staining of the collar does not occur.

[0050]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the present invention. Shown is the present invention installed onto the interior surface of the collar, drawing all perspiration from the user's neck, while additionally having the adhesive providing a barrier against moisture to the collar.

[0051]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention. Shown is the present invention having an absorbent layer of material to absorb any perspiration or moisture from the user's neck, while also providing a barrier against stains from interaction of oil, dirt, hair care products and perspiration.

[0052]FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention. Shown is the present invention having an absorbent layer and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has a removable protective layer to protect the adhesive element until time of use.

[0053]FIG. 6 is across section of the present invention.

[0054]FIG. 7 is perspective view of the present invention. Shown is the present invention having its adhesive backing removed and the adhesive exposed to allow the user to install the present invention to the interior surface of the garment collar.

[0055]FIG. 8 is a sectional side view depicting an alternate embodiment of the collar guard having an impermeable layer to which the absorbent material is attached on the inside and the adhesive is attached to the outside.

[0056]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which the adhesive is limited to the perimeter of the absorbent material.

[0057]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the collar guard that has reduced width ends to correspond with the reduced widths of the collar stand ends.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

[0058] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the various embodiments of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

[0059] 10 Collar Guard of the present invention

[0060] 11 user

[0061] 12 stand and fall collar

[0062] 14 collar stand

[0063] 16 collar stand interior surface

[0064] 17 collar stand interior surface upper portion

[0065] 18 collar fall

[0066] 20 neck

[0067] 22 soiling elements

[0068] 30 absorbent material

[0069] 32 absorbent material interior surface

[0070] 34 absorbent material exterior surface

[0071] 36 absorbent material edge

[0072] 40 adhesive

[0073] 42 adhesive protective layer

[0074] 50 alternate embodiment

[0075] 52 absorbent material backing

[0076] 54 absorbent material backing adhesive

[0077] 100 alternate embodiment

[0078] 102 adhesive perimeter

[0079] 150 alternate embodiment

[0080] 152 collar tapered first end

[0081] 154 collar tapered second end

[0082] 156 absorbent material first end

[0083] 158 absorbent material second end

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0084] The following discussion describes in detail various embodiments of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.

[0085]FIG. 1 depicts the user 11 in full attire, the collar guard 10 being concealed behind the stand and fall collar 12. FIGS. 2-9 depict various embodiments of the collar guard 10,50,100 of the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the collar guard 10 is shown in FIGS. 2-7, with FIG. 2 depicting the fully attached collar guard 10 within the collar 12.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, the typical stand and fall collar 12 has a collar stand 14 with an interior surface 16. The interior surface upper portion 17 is closest to the collar fall 18 and, being adjacent the neck 20, is particularly subject to soiling elements 22, such as perspiration, skin oils, makeup, hair care products, and dirt.

[0087] The collar guard 10 includes an absorbent material 30 having an interior surface 32, an exterior surface 34, and an edge 36 about the perimeter of the absorbent material 30, as particularly shown in FIGS. 3-4. The absorbent material 30 can be formed from numerous materials, such as cotton, silk, wool, gauze, quilted paper, waffled fabrics, layered paper, hydrophilic natural and synthetic fibers, and the like. These materials can include those that promote wicking of moisture 22 from the neck 20.

[0088] In this embodiment of the collar guard 10, an adhesive 40 is applies directly to the absorbent material exterior surface 34. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, an adhesive protective layer 42 is provided that protects the adhesive 40 from inadvertent contact and drying, before the collar guard 10 is used. The protective layer 42 is peeled from the adhesive 40, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0089] In the preferred embodiment 10, the adhesive 40 is not water soluble and is present in sufficient thickness to act as an impermeable barrier between the absorbent material 30 and the collar stand 14. In other embodiments, the adhesive 40 is water soluble and the absorbent material 30 thickness is chosen so as to reduce or eliminate movement of perspiration 22 from the absorbent material 30 to the collar stand 14.

[0090] In use, the user 11 will remove the adhesive protective layer 42 to expose the adhesive 40, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, as depicted in FIG. 7 the collar guard 10 is placed into the open collar 12 with an opening provided to correspond with the front area where the collar stand 14 decreases in width. Various lengths and widths are contemplated by the present invention that will allow substantially all of the collar stand interior surface 16 to be protected, including selective intervals such as the collar stand interior surface upper portion 17 alone, since this is an area of particular vulnerability to the soiling elements 22. The user 11 will press the collar guard 10 against the collar stand interior surface 16 thus attaching the absorbent material 30 exterior surface 34 to the collar stand interior surface 16, as shown in FIG. 2. As depicted in FIG. 3, the absorbent material 30 will be adjacent the neck 20 when the garment is donned, and will capture all or substantially all the soiling elements 22, e.g. perspiration, skin oils, makeup, and dirt.

[0091] In another embodiment 50, the absorbent material 30 is attached to an impermeable layer 52 that corresponds to the areal dimensions of the absorbent material 30, as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment 50, the adhesive 54 is applied to the impermeable layer 52, to reinforce the separation of the moisture from the user's neck 20 from the adhesive 54. Since the adhesive 54 is preferably water soluble in this embodiment 50, the integrity of the adhesive 40 is enhanced. The absorbent material 30 in this embodiment 50 can be attached to the impermeable layer 52 using an adhesive, or by stitching.

[0092] In another embodiment 100, depicted in FIG. 9, the adhesive 102 on the absorbent material 30 is located about the perimeter of the absorbent material's exterior surface 34, to minimize the amount of adhesive 102 remnants on the collar stand interior surface 16 after removal.

[0093]FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment 150. The collar 12 will typically have a tapered first end 152 and tapered second end 154 where the width of the collar stand 14 is reduced in the front of the garment. In this embodiment the absorbent material 30 also has a first end 156 and a second end 158, that have corresponding reductions in width to provide full protection around the entire perimeter of the collar 12.

[0094] After the garment is worn, the user 11 will pull the collar guard 10,50,100,150 from the collar stand interior surface 16 and reattach the protective layer 42 to the adhesive 40. The garment can then be washed for general purposes and the traces of the adhesive 40 will be easily removed as the wash progresses. The collar guard 10,50,100,150 can be stored until needed on the laundered shirt, or on another shirt, by again removing the adhesive protective layer 42 and positioning the absorbent material exterior surface 34 against the collar stand interior surface 16.

[0095] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum material and dimensional relationships for the components of the collar guard 10,50,100,150 will include variations in materials, which will occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. For example various adhesives may be used to join the components and to provide for attachment of the collar guard 10,50,100,150 to the collar stand interior surface 16, and various lengths will be chosen to accommodate different neck 20 sizes.

[0096] All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is water insoluble.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material absorbs dirt.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material absorbs skin oil.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material absorbs makeup.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the absorbent material layer has a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.
 9. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: an absorbent first layer adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the first layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 10. The article of claim 9, wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer by a second adhesive.
 11. The article of claim 9, wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer by stitching
 12. The article of claim 9, wherein the first layer has a perimeter, the first layer being attached to the second layer along the first layer perimeter.
 13. The article of claim 9, wherein the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.
 14. The article of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is water soluble.
 15. The article of claim 9, wherein the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.
 16. The article of claim 9, wherein the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.
 17. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and positioning means for removably positioning the absorbent material on the collar interior surface such that the layer is adjacent the person's neck and is removable after the garment has been worn.
 18. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the interior surface having an upper portion, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface upper portion area; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 19. The article of claim 18, wherein the absorbent layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.
 20. The article of claim 18, wherein the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.
 21. The article of claim 18, wherein the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.
 22. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the interior surface having an upper portion, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface upper portion area; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the second layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 23. The article of claim 22, wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer using a second adhesive.
 24. The article of claim 22, wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer by stitching.
 25. The article of claim 22, wherein the first layer has a perimeter, the first layer being attached to the second layer along the first layer perimeter.
 26. The article of claim 22, wherein the second layer can be repositioned adjacent the collar interior surface after removal.
 27. The article of claim 22, wherein the article further comprises a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the second layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.
 28. The article of claim 22, wherein the garment collar has a first and second end, each end having a reduced width, and the first and second layers each have a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends.
 29. An article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, the garment collar having a first and second end, the first and second ends each having a reduced width, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected, the layer further having a first and second end, each end having a reduced width to spatially correspond with the garment collar first and second ends; an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn, and repositionable adjacent the collar interior surface after removal; and a protective backing for attaching to the adhesive for preserving the adhesive when the absorbent layer is unattached to the collar interior surface.
 30. In combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an adhesive for removably positioning the absorbent material adjacent the collar interior surface such that the layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 31. In combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: an absorbent first layer adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and an impermeable second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer having an adhesive for removably positioning the first layer adjacent the collar interior surface such that the second layer is removable after the garment has been worn.
 32. In combination with a garment having a collar, an article for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar from the neck perspiration of the person wearing the garment, comprising: a layer of absorbent material adapted to spatially correspond to the interior surface area to be protected; and positioning means for removably positioning the absorbent material on the collar interior surface such that the layer is adjacent the person's neck and is removable after the garment has been worn. 